Maintaining faith in God takes more and more effort these days. We are living in an era when: enormous financial institutions have folded; major business partnerships have dissolved; an ever increasing number of marriages are crumbling; almost daily health concerns appear prompted by newly discovered  carcinogens; and governments are unable to keep pace with the needs of their people.

Is it possible to maintain Godly faith in times like these? How can we look to the future and trust that things will turnout well? What can we do to improve the level of peace in our daily lives?  

In Paul’s writings we are told about how we can acquire more faith as recorded at Romans 10:17 where it reads, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (King James Version) Our loving Heavenly, Father, our Creator, has provided the answers to our questions, thousands of years in advance of our need, in the Bible. Faith in God requires effort. We are to equip ourselves with the word by reading and following it.

God is so deliberate and precise that He created caterpillars with an average of 248 neck muscles. If He would care so very much for this tiny creature, how much more deliberate and precise was He when he made us in His own image?

The Bible is a precise book containing all of the keys we need for success. When Paul speaks of “the word of God” (Romans 10:17) the Greek term rhema is what he used to pen the original writing of “word”.  Rhema refers to the word spoken into our lives specifically. The word that we hear, which speaks directly into the situations we face every day, personally.

Have you ever experienced talking with someone, and they seemed to connect directly with your situation as though they knew exactly what you were going through, even though you had not shared any details with them? Or have you attended an event and heard a message that sounded like it was custom tailored for you, directing you to an answer you were seeking? Examples of rhema; when words speak so precisely and deliberately to you, as if designed just for you in a particular life situation.

Rhema Builds Faith

Each time we are able to recognize rhema it validates the precise, deliberate, loving Creator. He planned for us to have good success, peace, and soundness of mind, even though these tumultuous times. Paul’s advice reveals to us that our faith comes when we hear those words spoken directly into our lives from God. So if we already have faith, more will come.

Not the negative, ugly words that people speak into our lives that usher in gloom, doom, hate, chaos, and self-loathing. Those do not come from our loving Father.

Words can, and do impact our daily walk, whether acknowledged or not, the impact of words surrounds us day-by-day, moment-by-moment, steadfast and abiding. If we have a choice, and we do, it is prudent to choose to be impacted by those things that will strengthen us and prepare us for “every good work”. (2 Timothy 2:21)

There is an adage that affirms, “Sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me.” I learned as I grew up in the household with my family of origin that this was a non-truth. Words are weapons, words are destructive, and words create deep wounds that can take a lifetime to heal. Verbal abuse was a major attack mode used in my family.

The only spanking I remember getting was from my mother as a second grader.

I was to have come directly home from school. We lived within easy walking distance of the local school about six blocks. When I did not arrive home from school on time. It was discovered that I had taken a detour. I was doing what I thought, in my seven-year-old mind, would be a quick stop at my classmate’s home. She lived two blocks from my residence. I entered her apartment and went upstairs. Shortly thereafter her older brother, a middle school student arrived. For some reason he insisting that we not come downstairs.

I do not remember how I got word to my mother, because my classmate’s brother was also barring us from using the house phone. I do remember my mother arriving retrieving me and spanking me all the way to the car. I was relieved to see her and accepted my correction. I do not remember making any other unscheduled stops to or from school—at least not until I was a teenager.

The verbal, physical, mental and sexual abuse in my household punctuated the bulk of the other memories I have of my formative years. I ended up thinking I would never be good enough or accomplish anything of value even though I was an A student, obedient (for the most part) and focused on things of God. I was studious, hardworking, loyal and a victim of incest, that did not understand the hurts I lived with daily.

Yet the word that God planted in my heart, my relationship with Him and my desire to give Him glory remains greater than that avalanche of negative words and actions. Long after the physical wounds healed, the scars of my childhood, most of, which emanated from the words dawdled. Faith in God requires effort, even as a child I worked to exercise my faith. God rewarded my actions.

Being in that household appeared to be a dead end. I have been asked countless times over the years, how I was able to move through such a barrage of hate, violence and destructive forces. I always had faith in God. No matter what it looked like. His rhema had comforted me and guided me then and it still does to this day. My faith (trust and confidence in Him) continues to grow today. Faith in God requires action.

When I was in a maze of self-loathing, hate, fear and darkness He gave me maps and lanterns to find my way to the lighted path of loving myself and my neighbor (including my parents). As I continue, He has provided me with maps and lanterns to share with you, and others.

Can you use more faith in your life? Are you having difficulty getting to or staying on the path to loving your neighbor as yourself? Need to focus effort on faith?

Take Inventory and Take Action!

Faith in God requires effort.

Please contact me for more information about Maps and Lanterns and its services or share the victories of your walk on the path. Email me here or call 323 365 6688.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”